So a couple of weeks ago we had a week off and decided on a wee tour to Applecross and Ardnamurchan before we attended the Guzzi Rally in Falkirk. For various reasons we left on the Monday in incredible weather, warm and sunny, we took the back roads to avoid roadworks on the A9 joining at Dunkeld, a short and not too busy run to Dalwhinnie the highlight of which was being passed by two Hercules transport planes, low flying just a couple of hundred feet above our head. I sometimes wonder how they stay in the air they seem to be moving so slowly. A tea stop at the side of Loch laggan in the sunshine then a great run through to Loch Carron and a stop at the Riverside Tea room and then a splendid run over the Bealach to Applecross, tent pitched and off to the pub.
Sitting outside were some of the locals we are friendly with and a splendid evening was had by all with quite a late finish thanks to Judy who was plying me with whisky. Judy by the time you read this will have been to Buckingham Palace to collect her well deserved MBE.
Tuesday arrived with a colder feel, a day walking and talking and then the inevitable return to the Inn for more food and maybe a slightly lesser amount of partying.
Wednesday morning and it had been raining so the tent was taken down wet, not my favourite pastime, a misty run over the hill and quite windy so no photo opportunities. The shortish run to the Isle of Skye to catch the boat from Armadale to Mallaig, a ferry always makes it feel like a proper holiday.
The run from Mallaig to Strontian was outstanding, cooler but sunny and clear, by the time we reached Strontian we were gagging for a cup of tea and as we were sitting in the cafe another Guzzi headed by to the campsite, after wondering who it might be I guessed George from Morpeth, turns out I was right. We ended up in a cabin at the campsite rather than getting into a wet tent, this was a good move as the temperatures dropped.
A couple of days at the wonderful Strontian campsite (where we watched the Moidart run reported previously) and it was time to head back to Perth for a night in the house before heading to the Guzzi Rally in Falkirk. The plan was to catch some of the pre65 trial at Kinochleven on the way down but the hailstones and sleet persuaded us otherwise. We took the longer way home on the back roads getting off the A82 as soon as we could, this used to be one of my favourite biking roads but because of the huge amounts of tourists and halfwit drivers its no longer enjoyable, although incredibly scenic you cant take your eyes off the road for a minute and in Summer its no more than a nose to tail procession. All the way home I was looking forward to getting back to the house and getting a hot shower and turning the heating up to max, not to be the case as our boiler had decided to go faulty, our plumber arrived quite quickly after my SOS but confirmed it needed a part and it would probably be Tuesday.
Saturday we took the small roads to Falkirk, very enjoyable and stopped at Jim Allan Motorcycles who are now Scotlands only Guzzi dealer, they had put on a bit of hospitality for the Guzzi members which was well appreciated, also we got to see the new V85 in the flesh, hopefully they sell by the bucketload.
The rally as always was brilliant, great to see everyone from the Guzzi family, a great time was had by all and sadly on Monday it was time to pack up and ride home, a great week and plenty catching up with people, this motorcycling is a great lark, maybe it'll catch on........ The photos I'm afraid are in no particular order
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| At rest in Strontian |
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| Thats hail heading our way down the loch |
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| Fiona using the Guzzi hand warmers |
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| Sunny at Laggan |
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| warm even |
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| Landscape a bit brown here |
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| Looking over to Skye |
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| The Bealach |
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| Standard shot of this famous road |
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| Tea time |
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| Beer time with Barry, Phil and Glynnis |
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| Love when the sun goes down here |
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| stunning |
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| Judy and our new German friend, the guy visited Applecross with his pals 25 years ago and always wanted to go back, even more amazingly Judy remembered them |
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| I'm watching you |
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| Skye again |
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| walking to the shop |
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| Milton |
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| Guzzi Rally |
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| Martins Spada in good company |
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| Dereks Cali |
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| Pretend Guzzi |
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| Russels trusty falcone |
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| Same owner from new! |
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| The new V85 |
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| and again |
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| Old and new |
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| Yep its a phone |
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| General nonsense |
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| Serious talk from George |
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| Mal dancing |
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| assembled Guzzisti |
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| Not sure what Kate was explaining to Sue here |
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| Back to the tent |
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| Union Canal |
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| Falkirk wheel |
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| Its impressive the first time then it gets a bit boring |
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| Nice |
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| Normal Guzzi madness expected from these two, the glitter has finally gone girls......... |
